Brendan Clarke the hero in return to Richmond Park

St. Patrick’s Athletic 0 Limerick 2

Tony Whitehead, centre, of Limerick FC is congratulated by his team captain Shane Duggan after scoring the first goal against St Patrick's Athletic at Richmond Park in Dublin. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile

Limerick goalkeeper Brendan Clarke saved a penalty against his former club as goals from Tony Whitehead and John O’Flynn gave the Super Blues a big win at Richmond Park.

Showing no signs of their managerial upheaval during the week, interim boss Willie Boland’s Limerick dominated the first-half with Saints’ keeper Conor O’Malley forced into stops from Rodrigo Tosi, Shane Duggan and Chiedozie Ogbene before they deservedly took a 26th minute lead.

Skipper Duggan put a low free-kick into the St Pat’s area from the left where defender Whitehead got a touch to flick the ball past O’Malley.

There was far more to St Pat’s play on the resumption with Conan Byrne headed wide before Kurtis Byrne forced a terrific one-hand save from Clarke.

Limerick then had a miraculous let-off on 64 minutes after conceding a penalty for a handball.

Conan Byrne stepped up, but former team-mate Clarke dived the right way to save. Ian Bermingham then saw his follow-up shot come back off a post. Substitute O’Flynn then sealed Limerick’s win with their second goal on the counter-attack on 83 minutes.

Clarke’s clearance found Ogbene who put O’Flynn through to slide past O’Malley.